Over two years ago I found two abandoned kittens on my doorstep, and Harry and Lloyd soon (and yes, predictably) became my permanent buddies. Soooo, imagine how thrilled I was with this Charlotte Olympia for Agent Provocateur underwear set… Beyond purrrfect, new feline faves for this loud and proud, cray cray cat lady!
Purrrfect Briefs Set of 3 (RRP. £95.00)
Whenever I wear my H&M ruffled top I am inundated with people asking me where I bought it. Although I purchased it recently in store recently, it was an instant sell-out (having been featured in several magazines), and no longer available. HOWEVER, H&M have just released a similar style online (left), which may actually, with it's lighter, softer material, be eeeeeven more appropriate for the summer months (when they actually decide to begin...!)
Quick, quick now, I don't expect this little on-trend frilled number with stand up bib collar will last long on the shelves either.
H&M Sleeveless Blouse (RRP. £14.99)
Auree Jewellery Walton Gold Russian Wedding Ring (RRP. £295.00)
If there are two things we all know Matthew Williamson excels at, it’s making beautiful dresses and throwing faaaabulous parties. Upon returning from New York last week, I attended a summer party thrown by Matthew and the President and Co-Founder of RewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it, Amber Venz Box.
Held at the heavenly Clifton Nurseries, amidst great music, bongo drums and mahoosive bubbles (yup!) we celebrated Matthew’s high-summer 2016 collection, Mirage. Three exclusive #MWxLTK looks (each ready to shop via. Instagram that night) were also revealed that night, amongst the tropical flowers and tropical cocktails, worn by myself, Donia Ciobanu and Rosie Fortescue (below).
Below: Marbilicous with Matthew's Artistic Director Georgie Macintyre and Business Director Rosanna Falconer. Rowan Lewis' amazing floral installation was like being inside a floral piñata!
The evening ended in a lot of multi-coloured swooshing on the dance floor, the mass devouring of marbled chocolate and the releasing of hundreds of British butterflies into the wilds of Clifton Nurseries. FANTASTICAL.
Above (L-R): Talking Heads with MW by some of his collection, with Venetia Falconer and Niomi Smart.
Above: Where there be a giraffe, there be a Kelly! #YouCanTakeTheGirlOuttaAfrica....
Above/Below: Forever Blowing Bubbles with Venetia Falconer.
I was thrilled to be asked by Links of London to visit their Chelsea store recently and make an edit of my favourite summer pieces. With so much to choose from, from the contemporary to the timeless, you can imagine this was quite a task! However, being a total rose gold fiend and a real sucker for some personalised engraving, my choices took far less time than you would imagine...
The 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil & Taupe Cord Mini Friendship Bracelet (RRP. £140.00) was my first choice. The shimmery metallic cord is perfect for the summer, especially when paired with other bracelets, for an on-trend layered look. Which brought me quickly to choosing the more classic Effervescence 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Bangle (RRP. £120.00) with its bubble-like design working perfectly alongside the friendship bracelet. This beautiful, will-go-with-everything, duo is a great mixture of bohemian and traditional, and will be so useful this summer in the city and on the beach, from day through to night.
I decided to pair the Narrative 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Small Oval Disc Pendant (RRP. £95.00), with the Narrative 18kt Yellow Gold Vermeil Long Pendant (RRP. £85.00) and engraved the very apt first lines of the song my father used to sing to my sister and I to help us go to sleep, “Summertime… And the living is easy.” It’s funny how something can suddenly become so special once personalised with such a simple message, but the necklace automatically became a treasure.
Come and meet me and the the team from Hello! at the Links of London store (491 Oxford Street, WC1 2AU) this coming Thursday 23rd June, from 6pm - 9pm, where you can enjoy some delicious canapés, some even more delicious cocktails, and 20% off your (full price) shopping.
I still remember the flurry of excitement amongst my school friends upon finding baskets filled with colourful espadrilles outside a cheap as chips boutique when on a daytrip to Paris. We returned back to England that afternoon a few Francs lighter but feeling infinitely more bohemian and chic. Many (oh-so-depressingly many!) moons later, high street and designer espadrilles are readily accessible to us all back in Blighty, and the variety of eye-catching colours and designs are now infinite.
Penelope Chilvers, who’s shoes and commitment to the flat I have long admired, organized an Espadrille Workshop at her Duke Street shop. An invited group of press were invited throughout the day to meet Penelope, enjoy delicious smoothies from Farm Girl Cafe, and create our own pair of espadrilles.
With a basket filled of striped, floral and plain coloured canvases, and another filled with multi-coloured velvet and cotton ribbons, we all created unique customised designs which Penelope then had traditionally made up for us in her Spanish workshop. SUCH a treat!
I was immediately drawn to this multi-coloured, almost Missoni'esq striped canvas, and thought it went really well with this jewel-toned, deep pink velvet ribbon...
At the workshop, Penelope told us the espadrilles she liked the best would go on to be produced in her upcoming SS’17 collection...
I’m really excited to tell you, that the KELLY ESPADRILLES will be hitting the Penelope Chilvers shelves next Summer! That's right, I WON!!! Woooooo Hooooo!!! I shall now been known as, #EspadrellyKelly!
Thank you PC, I love them! xx
If your sun kissed tootsies are looking for some gorgeous espadrilles to wear this summer, Penelope has some other really gorgeous summer must-have espadrilles available HERE.
Anyone who lives near one of Iris Fashion’s three boutiques (in Queens Park, Battersea and Chiswick) knows it’s virtually impossible to walk by and not walk in, and subsequently to walk out empty handed! Known for being a yummy mummy and fashionista gem at the heart of each of their neighbourhoods, Iris is consistently jam-packed with a stylish and eclectic edit of womenswear (designer and the brand’s own), gorgeous jewellery, lingerie, coveted pressies and some of the inky dinkiest of kidswear for your wee ones. I’m always really excited to consistently discover new brands I’ve not heard of, hanging on the rails alongside some of my faves, like APC and Isabel Marant.
I recently popped in to my local Iris in Queens Park to choose some of my favourite looks for the (currently M.I.A) summer! Not only do they have some seriously great holiday must-haves currently in store, they also have a brilliant array of wearable summer in the city attire, so whether you are enjoying the sunshine at home or abroad within the next few months, your wardrobe is sorted - High Five!
Discovering the Spanish brand Masscob was a real highlight of the day, and I loved the feminine, relaxed feel of their Savina White Paisley Dress. I wore the dress with some Zan Zan Avida Dollar Sunglasses (I’m a big fan of this brand and of pink sunglasses in general – so much softer on the face than tortoiseshell - I need them!), a pretty Deborah Cadby Leaf Necklace and some Penelope Chilvers (a firm foot-fave!) Jude Tan Leather Platforms.
As we all know, I’m a BIG jean’s girl, and I could live in boilersuits, jumpsuits and playsuits. This MIH Jeans Saint All-In-One Jumpsuit is super lightweight and can be dressed up or down with trainers or heels. I paired the jumpsuit with a vibrant Iris Pom Pom Clutch (I LOVE POM POMS!), some more Zan Zan Avida Dollars Sunglasses and a pair of the ferociously popular Isabel Marant Etoile Leather Bart Trainers.
This Masscob Calma Lace Panel Top is such a summertime winner for me, combing both lace and ruffles, two of my all-tie favourite things! Worn with a pair of ultra soft, vintage wash Le Skinny Crop Jeans by Frame Jeans, a beyond cute Gary Gold Fringe Bag by the allllways cool Jerome Dreyfuss, and a pair of Iris Gladiator Sandals. Trust me, these sandals will be your summer essentials; The brushed metallic colour is unique and unlike many other sandals, these are really flattering and don’t cut you off at the ankle.
Created in collaboration with Iris Fashion.
Photography: Maxim Garcha.
Makeup: Charlotte Cowen
Hair: Tatiana Karelina and Nails: Sophie Gass
Ex-Mulberry creative director Emma Hill’s own brand, Hill and Friends, has been a real favourite of mine since its launch. The colourful leather hues and love of leopard print couldn’t be more my thaang, not to mention the trademark ‘winking’ twist-lock fastenings on each of their covetable bags – Errrrm… LOVE!
So, if all of that wasn’t friendly enough, Hill & Friends are offering you 20% off their range of gorgeous emerald leather handbags, and a £50 donation from each purchase of either a Happy Green Shoulder Bag, Happy Green Satchel and Happy Green Clutch made (until the end of June) will go to the Samaritans.
It feels sooo good to go green…
“I have been engaged with Samaritans for some years and wholeheartedly support the service they offer. We are delighted to count Samaritans as an official ‘Friend’ of Hill and Friends.” Emma Hill.
Shop the collection HERE.
Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place for anyone who is struggling to cope. www.samaritans.org
Vogue celebrates their centenary issue this month, and only went and scored HRH The Duchess of Cambridge for their cover! This is the first time Catherine has consented to being shot for a magazine, and what a debut. The magazine’s June issue (out now) features seven photographs of the Duchess near Anmer Hall (the Cambridge’s house in Norfolk), taken by Josh Olins, and styled by Lucinda Chambers (and I Imagine also by Kate herself) in fairly accessible, simple clothes worn to reflect her love of the countryside.
On the cover Kate is seen wearing a Burberry trench coat and white jacquard shirt, with a vintage hat from Beyond Retro. Other clothes worn include a striped jersey from Petit Bateau, 70’s-style flared denim dungarees from AG Jeans, Dune knee-high navy boots and a checked shirt from Cabbages & Roses.
By choosing British Vogue for her first-ever cover Kate is following in famous footsteps. Princess Diana famously graced the cover of the magazine four times (1981, 1991, 1994 & 1997). Alexandra Shulman Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue said: “To be able to publish a photographic shoot with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has been one of my greatest ambitions for the magazine.”
The shoot was a collaboration by Vogue and the National Portrait Gallery – of which the Duchess has been patron from 2012. Two of the pictures are now currently being displayed in the gallery’s exhibition, ‘Vogue 100: A Century of Style.’ The exhibition runs until the 22 May 2016 (BOOK TICKETS HERE).
TIMEX recently revealed their new SS’16 Fairfield Weekender watch collection and I was very kindly invited to the European launch. With a night’s stay at the fabulous Mondrian London’s on the South Bank, a fun afternoon spent touring Borough Market and an evening partying at Shoreditch House, this was twenty-four hours of pure fun, food and frivolity in the capital.
We started our TIMEX adventure with a delicious lunch held in the Mondrian’s Rumpus Room where, alongside the best possible views in London, we learnt more about the brand from the TIMEX Design Director Giorgio Galli, the man responsible for creating the brand’s watches for the last decade. It was at this lunch I was given two of the new watches, both personalised with my initials, and given my particular obsession with orange accessories, I was thrilled with my new arm candy.
The afternoon was spent with a tour of Borough Market. I have lived in London for years, and I was still so excited about this. I loved meeting all the stall vendors and having a taste of so many of the amazing treats available to buy (the sea salt fudge and the coconut pancakes in particular!) We ended our trip with some wine tasting and doughnuts!... Yup, I rolled my way back to the hotel to get ready for the party!
The party at Shoreditch House commenced, and alongside the popcorn and candy floss (a nod to the brand’s American heritage) there was a customisation bar for guests to choose their own TIMEX stylish watch face (which all light up I later discovered, much to my delight!) and a fun, interchangeable, colourful strap from a large selection, pick'n'mix stylie!
In the morning, wearing my AscenoxRollingStones PJ's (a collaboration that coincides with 'Exhibitionism') feeling a little bleary-eyed and after some delicious room service (yes, pancakes covered in syrup, obviously), I made my way down to the hotel’s beyond relaxing spa to enjoy a heavenly massage before heading back over the river, and home. Such a fun TIME, thank you TIMEX!
After the most depressingly long hibernation, and several bouts of rotten flu, the shiniest of tickets came my way; an invitation to stay at the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa on Spain’s Golden Mile, Marbella, where the sun shines for 320 days a year! HOORAY!
Grabbing my friend Charlotte Cowen en route, I arrived at the most luxurious of hotels. Designed to recreate an Andalusian village, the beachfront Puente Romano, with its endless array of restaurants, three swimming pools, Six Senses Spa and newly opened nightclub, La Suite, had everything both our mischievous and holistic desires required.
Above: Bellagio 4-Wheel 55cm Cabin Suitcase in Panna by BRICS.
Our room was found amongst the white-washed walls and baskets of geraniums of the grounds, and we were thrilled to find we had a gorgeous little balcony (room service locaaay sorted!) and adorable beach baskets and towels as gifts.
Wearing: Daisy Mini Crop Set by Mochi.
Oh, I should also mention the giant plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries – soooo spoiling!
Wearing: Raspberry Mother Amazon Slip Dress and Sunrise Sunglasses by Matthew Williamson.
Wearing: Lime Beam Printed Silk Crepe Playsuit by Asceno and Traveller by TOMS sunglasses.
The heavenly Six Senses Spa offers an array of treatments, and Charlotte and I were generously treated to a hugely relaxing Couple’s Massage (hilarious!) in one of the spa’s nine treatment rooms.
The blue-tiled swimming pool, with its view of the ocean, has amazing waterfall-style windows, and the spa also features a hydrotherapy pool; a cold plunge pool; heat and ice experience showers with different types of water flow and mood lighting; herbal steam room; sauna and hammam. UTTER heaven, and you can see why people travel the distances they do to unwind and spend time being pampered there.
Wearing: Seafolly Coast to Coast Swimsuit from Beach Cafe.
Wearing: Anna Kosturova (name to watch!) Dreamcatcher Halterkini from Beach Cafe.
There is a gym and a tennis court on site, and the resort is also very close to Marbella’s old town, but given that there are nine (yes, nine!) restaurants throughout the resort, it is quite possible to spend your entire stay hopping from one to the other… I can think of worse ways to pass the time! The Sea Grill (above) is right on the beach and where we were treated to an array of fresh seafood and sushi on our first night.
Two-Michelin-star-holding chef Dani Garcia’s playful concept restaurant Bibo was where we spent most of the next afternoon (I’m not even kidding, we feasted for for what seemed hours – NOT that any of us were complaining!) With an imaginative menu and Alice in Wonderland’esq touches in abundance (even the list of cocktails were presented in the form of Tarot Cards, which I made each of our party choose from - best game ever?! #EveryonesAWinner) the beyond imaginative tasting menu left us defeated, but amazed (I’d fly back merely for another portion of his INSANE New York-inspired cheesecake!)
Wearing: Gold Diamond Moon Charm Necklace and Gold Diamond Horseshoe Necklace by Missoma.
Mid-way through our amazing meal, Dani surprised us with the most amazing truffle treats in his kitchen...
We also enjoyed a delicious evening of sushi at UNI, several Turkish Delight smoothies at Rachel’s Organic Cafe (above, also my favourite spot at the hotel for sun bathing and reading) and a very healthy lunch at Celicioso, Marbella’s only 100% gluten-free restaurant (below).
Enjoying the sunset with Charlotte and our friend, the Fashion Director of Marie-Claire, Tanya Philipson. The last time I was in Marbella was actually for Tanya's wedding, so it was great to see her, and this time with her gorgeous new son Archer! Would you just look at those CHEEKS!! Beyond edible.
Wearing: Dia White 70's Maxi Dress by Lily and Lionel.
You also might not expect to find Marbella’s hottest new club amongst the sub-tropical gardens of Puente Romano, but this hotel is full of surprises as well as palm trees. La Suite held its glamorous launch party on our last night, and launch it we certainly did…! With a mixture of old Roman architecture and ultra-modern touches, the club is the perfect addition to the resort and will no doubt, be well frequented by guests and local revellers alike.
The next morning Charlotte and I were treated to breakfast (pancakes, naturally) on our balcony (I mean, this entire stay was such a romantic friend-moon!) and coconut water and lavender scented eye masks were brought to us to assist with our much needed R&R… I mean, next level thoughtful!
Just the perfect little mini-break! Thank you to all the lovely folk at Puente Romano! xx
(Click on the items below for their direct links)
The London Chatter was a guest of Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa for two nights.
